The only returning offensive starter, Jones passed for 195 yards and one touchdown and ran for 38 yards and another score to lead the Razorbacks in rushing before leaving the game after the first drive of the third quarter.

The Razorback defense, an overall more-experienced squad, held the Aggies (0-1) to 216 yards of offense. By the time New Mexico State earned their initial first down, with 10:37 left in the second quarter, Arkansas had put together three scoring drives and scored on a blocked punt.

Arkansas (1-0), has now won 22 straight non-conference games - 21 under coach Houston Nutt, who remains undefeated in seven season openers. New Mexico State is now 0-5 against the Razorbacks.

Freshmen played a large role in the win. In their first game at Arkansas, Kevin Woods blocked a punt attempt by Steven Smith at the New Mexico State 1 and classmate Chris Houston grabbed the ball and ran it in. Freshman Peyton Hillis ran nine times for 32 yards and two touchdowns.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Robert Johnson threw for 132 yards and two touchdowns, including a 74-yard strike to Chris Baker, which made the score 35-0 with 5:46 left before halftime.

Six-foot-six freshman Marcus Monk caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Jones, leaping to catch the ball over defenders at the 5, and staying on his feet long enough to roll into the end zone.

The Aggies got on the scoreboard late in the second quarter when quarterback Buck Pierce hit Paul Dombrowski on the right sideline near the goal line for a 29-yard touchdown. In the third quarter, Pierce tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Lawson; Ryan Guardia's extra-point attempt was blocked.

Pierce was 16-of-21 for 159 yards and both Aggie scores. Justine Buries carried 12 times for 40 yards.

Jones and most of Arkansas' first-team offense sat out the majority of the second half. Jones was never sacked, but most of his rushing yards came as he scrambled from the pocket under pressure. Jones scored on a naked bootleg from the 2 - loping at least 30 yards laterally as he ran for the left corner pylon.